TURBINE FLUID DIVERTER FOR AN APPLIANCE

摘要

The present invention provides a dishwasher appliance and a diverter for a dishwasher appliance. The diverter uses a turbine powered by a flow of fluid from a pump to switch between different outlet ports. In a dishwasher appliance, fluid from the pump that, e.g., supplies one or more spray assemblies can be used to cause the diverter to switch between different fluid outlets and the different spray assemblies or other fluid-using elements. A separate motor to power the diverter or cycling of the pump to change the position of the diverter is not required, which allows a savings in energy usage, costs, and space.

主权项

1. A fluid flow diverter for a dishwasher appliance, comprising:
a housing defining an inlet for the ingress of a flow of fluid into a diverter chamber, the housing further defining an outlet for the egress of fluid from the diverter chamber; a distribution plate defining a plurality of outlet ports, the distribution plate positioned at the outlet of the housing; a diverter disc positioned adjacent the distribution plate, the diverter disc defining a diverter aperture; a turbine wheel positioned in the flow of fluid from the inlet such that the flow of fluid causes a rotational motion of the turbine wheel about an axis extending therethrough; and a plurality of gears for transmitting the rotational motion of the turbine to the diverter disc to rotate the diverter disc about an axis extending therethrough.